For now a playoff
spot will do, after doing the impossible, of delivering the ultimate of wins in
Cardiff and stopping a fighting armada in the Welsh Dragons that never ceased
in their intents of solidifying their position.
After missing the
likes of their Talisman Gareth Bale, Wales 11 still put on display of might and
amazing football that sheer luck and an inspired visitor’s defensive backfield
delivered, preventing them to move on.
Still we have a grand
squad for future competitions and the new generations will deliver the Dragons
a spot into the next world cup, as I can state proudly that Welsh football is
on the rise.
Madness if the Welsh federation
lets go of Chris Coleman as their manager.
Moving on to the
Green Army and its mighty show of submission or intimidation playing away as
the hundreds of thousands of its faithful that made the trek into Cardiff to
support in full their national squad.
With the a barrage of
attacks and intents to overcome the Boys
in Green defenses, O’ Neill backfield step up with Cyrus Christie, Shane Duffy,
Ciaran Clark and Stephen Ward that delivered an all-around shield in the posts
of keeper Darren Randolph.
Because by the looks
of Wels Boss Chris Coleman peep talk fired up his initial eleven looking
forward to defend their second position and advance to the playoffs.
As both managers
sending a conservative 4-2-3-1 formations respectively with Ireland sending
their veteran in Daryl Murphy and Wales Hal Robson Kanu.
The tables were set
to a sold out Cardiff venue and to the amazing of the Welsh fans all fired up
after signing their national anthem, this match had all the elements of an all-around
final between two cross the channel neighbors.
Still something
magical about the Land of our Fathers or
simply said in Welsh as Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, that gave the Dragons an inspiration
that since the start of the match these started causing havoc on Ireland’s
backfield and provoking all sorts of dangers to Randolph posts.
Seeing how a dominant
Wales had the majority of credit to their advantage in the first half and
despite the arrivals and opportunities, these could not capitalized, halftime ended
in a stalemate of zero goals.
In the second half
under way once again the push and pressure exercised by the locals was very
evident in the public of Ireland squad as O’ Neill words had a significant meaning
for his whole initial eleven that again contained the Dragons armada successfully.
Despite the score at zero,
it was the Republic of Ireland compromise to come ahead and take over the
control of the match, domination in its majority by a stingy and overzealous
Welsh initial eleven putting on the field their best game.
The 50th
minute became the ideal for the Irish squad, as in the fifty-six minute Welsh
defender Tom Walsh foul over David Meyler and the visitors get a free kick as midfielder
Darren Randolph does the honors for the Green Army.
After James Mc Clean
score in the 57, leaving the whole of Cardiff City Stadium silent shortly, as the
Boys in Green knew after their celebrations they were going to be a bit busy to
start defending that lone goal scored.
As I mentioned that
the local Welsh dominated this match all afternoon long and having the most possession
and generating all sorts of dangers in front of the Republic of Ireland keeper
Darren Randolph.
If James McLean
became the hero after his score, do not leave out defensive gem this delivered at
the end, despite the moves the Dragons Boss did on the 37 with Jonathan
Williams for Joe Allen, Ben Woodburn in the 65 for Andy King and Sam Vokes in
the 71 for Robson-Kanu.
Opposite of Martin O’
Neill that his substitution were a mere two with Glen Wheelan for Harry Arter
in the 78 and Kevin Long for Daryl Murphy in the 90, were enough for the Boys
in Green for the grand feat.
Nothing his squad
could do after the official awarded six extra minutes of injury time and the
Welsh still dominating the match in its entirety, at the end the perseverance
of the visiting Green Army prevailed and assure itself a spot in the playoffs.
For now, the Republic
of Ireland delivered in the clutch and when it counts the most and a pass into
the playoffs as an unseeded squad, hail for the Boys of the Foireann peile náisiúnta Phoblacht na hÉireann!
Post Contents and Property of Fern
Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit and Property of RTE
and Independent 2017
Photos Credit and Property of © Football
Association of Ireland © 2001 - 2017. All Rights Reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment